ASSESSING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTINUOUSASSESSMENT IN TEACHING THE WRITING SKILL IN ENGLISH CLASSROOM: THE CASE OF GRADE 11 AT ALAMURA GENERAL SECONDARY SCHOOL

ABSTRACT: The major objective of this research was to assess the implementation of continuous assessment in teaching English writing skill. To achieve this objective, the researcher used descriptive survey for the study. In addition, the researcher used mixed research approach to analyze data gathered through data collection instruments. The target participants of the study were 5 grade 11 English language teachers and 298 grade 11 students from Alamura General Secondary School in Hawassa City Administration. The researcher selected the school as it is the researcher’s work place and can get corporation with target population to gather information. The researcher used comprehensive sample technique for teachers and random sample for students. The data were collected through questionnaire, semi-structured interview and classroom observation which were analyzed using frequency, percentage and narrative analysis. The results indicated that there was lack of implementing continuous assessment in teaching English writing skill. Teachers gave less emphasis for assessing language skills as they frequently emphasis to assess their students’ grammar skill performance. Tests, assignments and final examinations, were the dominant assessment tools implemented by teachers. With regard to challenges, there were multiple determinants that hindered the effective implementation of the continuous assessment in teaching English writing skill such as teachers being overloaded with teaching duties that consume most of their time, large class size, the textbook itself that consisted lessons that should be completed within the prescribed academic year, lack of training for teachers. As a result, continuous assessment in writing skill was not fully implemented as desired in the school where the study was done. It was recommended that teachers should need to have a clear plan to meaningfully implementation of continuous assessment, should balance all language skills while taking assessment and should get training regarding the implementation of continuous assessment with the respect of language skills